Green Thumb Corner

The Virginia Creeper, Parthenocissus quinquefolia 'engalmani', is a fast-growing, high-climbing vine that attaches itself with tendrils which expand, disk-like, on their tips. The deciduous leaves that radiate outward from a leaf stem, like spokes on a

Akebia - Silver Bells, Akebia quinata 'Silver Bells', is a vigorous vine with both light pink and reddish-purple flowers. It has the largest leaves of the five leafed akebia varieties. Silver Bells is a beautiful, fast growing vine that thrives with litt

Periwinkle, Vinca minor, is also known as Trailing Myrtle, Dwarf Periwinkle and Creeping Myrtle. This species of Periwinkle is one of the most popular and widely used ground covers. Trailing stems with smooth, evergreen leaves (to 1.5" long) root at th

The Lamium 'White Nancy', Lamium maculatum, has beautiful oval, variegated silvery-white leaves with greenish margins. The short spiked white flowers make it a wonderful ground cover. With a plant height of 6" and a spread of 12-24", Lamium 'White Nancy' blooms from May to July.'White Nancy' will grow best in full sun, but will tolerate some afternoon shade in a moist area. Plant in a well-drained soil and do not allow it to dry out. Use Lamium in hanging baskets, in mixed containers, trailing over walls or as an edger, but spread must be controlled. 'White Nancy' looks great among Hostas, Ferns, Lungworts (Pulmonaria), bulbs and wildflowers.

The Periwinkle 'Wojo's Gem', Vinca Major 'Wojo's Gem' (PP11809), is a new selection of trailing vinca with creamy yellow centers edged and flecked with dark green. It is dIstinct from Vinca 'Illumination' with larger leaves is hardy in protected spots in zone 6.Use in as a spreading groundcover to brighten shade gardens. Beautiful cascading down slopes, banks, walls and curbs. Pest and disease free. Herbaceous perennial in warmer zones and an annual in colder zones.

The Lysimachia 'Golden Moneywort', Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea', also known as Creeping Jenny, has dime sized, wonderful evergreen and yellow veined foliage with bright yellow blooms. This easy growing Lysimachia is perfect for brightening any garden. With a plant height of 6", 'Golden Moneywort' is known as being a little invasive.Lysimachia should be planted in full sun, but can tolerate some afternoon shade. The sun will help it maintain its golden color. It does need moist soil in a well-drained area, not allowing it to dry out between waterings. 'Golden Moneywort' is a great ground cover and looks wonderful planted in perennial gardens or around water gardens.

The Lamium 'Pink Pewter', Lamium maculatum, has a beautiful display of dark green, silvery leaves with white centers. The short spiked salmon pink flowers make it a wonderful ground cover. With a plant height of 6" and a spread of 12-24", Lamium 'Pink Pewter' blooms from May to July. 'Pink Pewter' will grow best in full sun, but will tolerate some afternoon shade in a moist area.Plant in a well-drained area and do not allow drying out. Use Lamium in hanging baskets, in mixed containers, trailing over walls or as an edger, but spread must be controlled. 'Pink Pewter' looks great among Hosta's, Ferns, Lungworts (Pulmonaria), bulbs and wildflowers.

The Liriope, 'Spicata', also known as Lirope, is an almost indestructible plant for stubborn areas. Liriope gracefully fills those spots where nothing else will grow. Large, pale lavender flower spikes bloom in late summer, rising above arching, evergreen tufts of grassy foliage.This Lirope has 3/4" wide grass-like dark green leaves, up to 24" long. An excellent groundcover and accent grass.

The Vinca Minor 'Illumination', produces near continuous foliage changes. Spring growth emerges chartreuse then brightens to golden yellow. Each yellow leaf is edged with a grass green margin. Later in the year plants turn to cream on attractive pink stems. Direct sun will prematurely bleach foliage. Blooms in late spring and continues sporadically through the summer. Flowers are Dutch blue, 1 inch wide for high contrast against foliage. Dramatic alone in hanging baskets for long golden tresses. Ideal foliage accent for color pots too. In the garden use as a spreading groundcover to brighten shade gardens. Beautiful cascading down slopes, banks, walls and curbs. Pest and disease free. Herbaceous perennial.

The Buttered Popcorn', Ranunculus repens, is a great ground cover that vigorously spreads to 4'. Its broad finley cut leaves are silvery-green with a variegated chartreuse edge. It has delicate yellow flowers in late spring but is mostly grown for its striking foliage color. 'Buttered Popcorn' needs to be planted in a full sun location with well-drained soil.

The Stachys 'Big Ears Lamb's Ear', Stachys byzantina 'Helen von Stein', is known for its soft, fuzzy, silvery green foliage. With spikes of purplish pink small flowers, it has a wonderful effect on any garden. 'Big Ears Lamb's Ear' is a little bit larger than the average Lamb's Ear, with a plant height of 10" and a spread of 18-24" and blooms in mid-summer. (Lamb's Ear is not known for its flowering, but however its foliage.) It may not look extremely good in the summer time, but will recover in the fall.'Big Ears Lamb's Ear' needs to be planted in full sun in a well-drained area. It is useful in the border or as a ground cover. It will add texture and color in rock gardens and looks wonderful with Veronica 'Goodness Grows', Tradescantia 'Concord Grape' or other purple blooming perennials.

The Artemisia 'Silver Brocade', Artemisia stelleriana, is a compact, silver-white, wooly perennial with a plant spread of 24-30" and a height of 15" 'Silver Brocade' produces yellow flowers in early summer, (not being showy). The foliage, however, has a wonderful fragrance. This striking variety is most noticeable when planted in perennial beds and borders and in herb gardens for color and texture.'Silver Brocade' likes sandy soil but needs a well-drained area and should be planted in full sun with a small amount of afternoon shade. Try 'Silver Mound' with Echinacea 'Purple Coneflower' or Rudbeckia 'Black Eyed Susan' to add interest in your garden or to accent fresh or dried flower arrangements.